The Communication of Disaster Information and Knowledge to Children Using Game Technique: The Disaster Awareness Game (DAG)

Clerveaux, V.; Spence, B.

doi:10.22059/ijer.2010.48

The Communication of Disaster Information and Knowledge to Children Using Game Technique: The Disaster Awareness Game (DAG)

Authors

V. Clerveaux ¹

B. Spence ²

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, Gunma University, 1-5-1 Tenjin-cho Kiryu, Gunma, 376-8515, Japan

² Applied Disaster and Emergency Studies (ADES) Program, Faculty of Science, Brandon University, Brandon Manitoba, R7A6A9, Canada

10.22059/ijer.2010.48

Abstract

The specific vulnerability of children and by extension, the need to promote disaster awareness among children as an integral part of disaster risk-reduction strategies is an emergent theme in the disaster management fraternity. The challenge however, is in the design of awarenesspromotion tools that are relevant to and appropriate for the specific learning needs of children. The Disaster Awareness Game (DAG) on which this paper is based has been designed to address this challenge. Preliminary testing of the Game among Caribbean school children suggests that it is appropriate for and effective in rising levels of awareness and consequent behaviour of children in disaster situations. In light of the preliminary nature of these results further testing of the DAG is imperative if confirmation of its reliability is to be obtained.

Keywords

Children

Disaster Awareness

Game Technique

Risk Communication

Risk Information

Risk Reduction